BAföG will be increased, gardening will be fully permitted again and certain winter tires will no longer be allowed to be used. And then the time is changed too. This and more awaits you in the new month.
BAföG will be increased
With the current BAföG reform, the requirement rates will be increased by five percent to 475 euros. The flat rate for housing costs for students living away from home will also be increased, from 360 to 380 euros. A corresponding increase is planned for students living away from home. The maximum funding amount increases from 934 to 992 euros. That’s an increase of 6.2 percent.
In addition, the allowances on the income of the parents and the spouses or life partners of the recipients will be increased by a total of 5.25 percent. The allowances that apply to loan repayments will also now be increased by a total of 5.25 percent.
M+S winter tires are only allowed until the end of the month
The transition period for winter tires with “M+S” markings expires on September 30th. “M+S” stands for mud and snow. Tires manufactured before 2018 that only have an “M+S” marking are only valid until the end of the month. Anyone who drives with these tires in winter weather risks a fine from October.
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 21H2 and 22H2
The last security updates for Windows 10 in version 21H2 of the Enterprise and Education Edition as well as the 22H2 Edition Home and Pro are due by October 8th. After that, there will be no more security updates for the system. But it can still be used. After this date, devices running this version will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that provide protection against the latest security threats.
New questions for the theoretical driving test
From the new month, the questions for the theoretical driving test will be changed. A total of 57 new or revised theory questions are added to the updated catalog across all classes. The failure rate for the exam has been well over 30 percent in recent years.
Federal states are starting their autumn holidays
For millions of students, the first holidays of the new school year are approaching. Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt will be the first federal states to start their autumn holidays on September 30th.
Here is the overview
- Baden-Württemberg: October 28th to 31st
- Bavaria: October 28th to 31st
- Berlin: October 21st to November 2nd
- Brandenburg: October 21st to November 2nd
- Bremen: October 4th to October 19th
- Hamburg: October 21st to November 1st
- Hesse: October 14th to 25th
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: October 21st to 26th
- Lower Saxony: October 4th to 19th
- North Rhine-Westphalia: October 14th to 26th
- Rhineland-Palatinate: October 14th to 25th
- Saarland: October 14th to 25th
- Saxony: October 7th to 19th
- Saxony-Anhalt: September 30th to October 12th
- Schleswig-Holstein: October 21st to November 1st
- Thuringia: September 30th to October 12th
Holidays in October
German Unity Day on October 3rd falls on a Thursday and is a nationwide holiday. In Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia, Reformation Day on Thursday, October 31st is a public holiday.
Hedge cutting allowed again
Anyone who wants to lend a hand in their garden and radically prune hedges, bushes and trees can do so again from October 1st. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, this is prohibited from March 1st to September 30th; only “gentle shaping and care cuts” are permitted during this period. The legal regulation is intended to protect the habitat of birds and other animals.
Hydraulic balancing for heating
New regulations in the Building Energy Act (GEG) regarding mandatory hydraulic balancing by specialist heating companies will also come into force in the new month. In apartment buildings with at least six apartments, all heating systems that are newly installed and use water as a heat carrier must also be tested. This is intended to improve the heat flow in the heating system so that the energy is distributed evenly across the radiators. This is intended to save energy, which also reduces heating costs.
Costs for RS virus prophylaxis will be covered
Newborns and infants can be given medication with appropriate antibodies to protect against serious respiratory infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The costs for this prophylaxis have been covered by statutory health insurance companies since September 14th. This helps prevent RSV-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Payback Pay can be used in online shops
From the new month, Payback users can use the Payback Pay payment function in selected online shops, which allows points collected when shopping online. Initially, use should be possible at dm, Rewe and Thalia, among others, with Media Markt and Amazon to follow. Previously, using the payment function was only possible for stationary purchases.
Amazon’s Prime Day starts
Amazon Prime Day 2024 will take place on October 8th and 9th. The online shipping giant’s shopping event is called “Amazon Prime Deal Days”. Then there are thousands of top deals with strong discounts from every imaginable category for those who like to spend.
Oktoberfest runs for a few more days
It can still be enjoyed in large groups for a few more days. Where? In Munich. At the Oktoberfest. When? Until October 6th (since September 21st).
More timely care assessment through video telephony
Nursing assessments via video telephony – this has been possible since September 26th. This allows the medical service to assess those in need of care more promptly. This is important because without the assessment there are no nursing care insurance benefits. The guidelines of the Federal Medical Service regulate the cases in which video assessments are possible. The basis for this is the law to accelerate the digitalization of the healthcare system, which has been in force since March.
Time change is coming
It has actually been all but abolished by the EU, but the clock will have to be turned again this autumn. More precisely: On the night of Saturday, October 26th to Sunday, October 27th, the clock will be set back one hour from three to two o’clock.
